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34.
HEATING APPLIANCES (FIREGUARDS) ACT, 1952.
General observation was kept on the sale of heating appliances to
ensure that they complied with the Regulations made under the above-named
Act and in several cases the sellers and users of heating appliances
requested that their guards be tested.
The Chief Sanitary Inspector made several tests of appliances at the
request of manufacturers and others in the Borough.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949.
The work in connection with the repression of rats was continued during
the year. The whole of the sewer system throughout the Borough was treated
and poison baiting was proceeded with twice during the year. The number of
complaints received in connection with the common rat had increased but
complaints regarding infestations by the black rat decreased compared with
last year. In connection with rat infestations 477 drains were treated
and of those 87 were found to be defective. Notices were served to remedy
the defects found.
Last year the use of Warfarin in reducing the rat population was
continued and by experience it was found that this method of baiting was
efficacious. Previously it was necessary to do pro-baiting for several
days with a direct poisoning on the last day, but by the use of Warfar in the
work in connection with pro-baiting has been eliminated, thus saving many
working hours.
The mouse problem this year has been on the increase and the ridding of
infestations by mice is a much more difficult one than that for other rodents.
The following tables are an indication of the amount of work carried out
in connection with the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 -